Hi everybody! My surgeon suggested that I go to this website as it's a great source of information, support, etc. I only ust started this particular journey last week, with my first visit with my surgeon, nutritionist, and insurance advocate (called a Navigator). I haven't completely decided whether or not to have the surgery and to be honest, I'm not sure what's holding me back.

I spoke with my therapist about it yesterday and we determined that I'm probably afraid of the change it will bring about. Most people don't handle change well and I'm no different. It takes me a little while to get acclimated and for the change to become a new normal. So, I think a lot of my fear is based on the fear of not feeling "comfortable" within myself. Don't know if that makes any sense.

Anyway, I look forward to reading through as many posts as I can and being an active member of this site.

Jodi

Hi everybody! My surgeon suggested that I go to this website as it's a great source of information' date=' support, etc. I only ust started this particular journey last week, with my first visit with my surgeon, nutritionist, and insurance advocate (called a Navigator). I haven't completely decided whether or not to have the surgery and to be honest, I'm not sure what's holding me back.

I spoke with my therapist about it yesterday and we determined that I'm probably afraid of the change it will bring about. Most people don't handle change well and I'm no different. It takes me a little while to get acclimated and for the change to become a new normal. So, I think a lot of my fear is based on the fear of not feeling "comfortable" within myself. Don't know if that makes any sense.

Anyway, I look forward to reading through as many posts as I can and being an active member of this site.

Jodi[/quote']

Hi Jodi,

I am also at the very start of my journey. I went to the seminar and my first consult is next Friday. I preciously saw another surgeon but was not comfortable with him. So that was a minor set back because I had to wait a month for that appointment then spent another 3 weeks reading and doing as much research as I could. Then I found my current surgeon. In happy with him. I think we are all nervous about making a full blow change in life but, I can say this is the best thing I have done for myself in a long time.

Good luck on your journey!

Thanks, Jillian! Good luck on yours, as well!

_{You are so right change is never easy. However, I think when we look at the purpose not only to change our bodies but to change our life. I have beem overweight all my life but never really thought about it until recently that this is a time in my life were diabeties, high blood pressure, etc is a part of my reality because of my weight. I know that I have a problem with the way I think about food and need help and to stop those diseases from catching me I have to do something. I will pray that you will find the road that is best for you. Best of Luck lady!!!}

_{You are so right change is never easy. However' date=' I think when we look at the purpose not only to change our bodies but to change our life. I have beem overweight all my life but never really thought about it until recently that this is a time in my life were diabeties, high blood pressure, etc is a part of my reality because of my weight. I know that I have a problem with the way I think about food and need help and to stop those diseases from catching me I have to do something. I will pray that you will find the road that is best for you. Best of Luck lady!!![/sub']}

_{You are absolutely correct. If my health was not a concern I don't think the surgery would be an option. I'm pre diabetic accompanied by back and knee pain. Food has always Been my vice as I got older and my weight started to increase I didn't think It was that big if a deal. When I look at my family most of them look just like me. This is what I was used to. Until my 4 yeast old started to ask me if I was pregnant. That was the most hurtful thing ever. Worst than not being able to walk up the subway stairs without worrying about passing out, worst then listening to my family doctor tell me year after year you have to do something about your weight. The surgery is a tool. A tool to set us up for success for a healthy comfortable life......best wishes Jill}

Hi Jodi and welcome. I'm new also. I had my consultation at the beginning of the month and I had my EGD on Tuesday. Now I'm just awaiting my pyschological evaluation. My surgery is supposed to be sometime in December. After reading through a couple of the posts and seeing lots of before and after pics, I often ask myself why I didn't start this journey sooner. I enjoy reading the posts and everyday I get more and more excited. Good luck to you on your journey and whatever you decide to do.

It is a diffiult first step, I looked into surgeries and such for 10 years before I decided to get the sleeve, and while I was leaning to "finally do something" if I had not been diagnosed with a tumor in my tummy I dont know when I would have done it. I was, however, very finally ready, and had already lost a bit of weight, so there is the negative of allowing 10 years to slip by, but the positive that I waited for the sleeve.

Good luck in your journey!

Thanks everybody for the warm welcome! I probably have had surgery in the back of my mind for about 10 years or so. I had a PCP that told me that I have to have surgery (at the time, there was only gastric bypass) because I'll never be able to do it on my own. To which I told her to go to hell and got myself a new PCP. I refused to "give up" without a fight. And I went on to lose about 40 pounds by dieting and exercise (Curves). But, then, as always, it started creeping back on and now here I am, 10 years later, having to admit that she's right. But, I don't feel like I've failed because I couldn't do it on my own (which is how she made me feel at the time). I feel like I've tried everything I could and that this is the "last resort." I've learned A LOT about myself in the past 9 years or so (a long story for another day) and I've come to realize that with the amount of weight I need to lose, that my willpower alone will not hold out that long. I have recurrent severe depression (controlled with medication, for the most part) and when it rears its ugly head, the very first thing to go is my willpower. So, I refuse to admit defeat or that I'm a failure. I'm just doing what I need to do to get healthy. I've tried all other tools and this is the tool that I know will work.